Capacity audience for first Gizzen Briggs fiddlers' rally since pandemic
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Traditional music group Gizzen Briggs held its 27th fiddlers' rally in the Duthac Centre, Tain, last Saturday.
The popular event was highly anticipated as it was the first rally to take place in three years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gizzen Briggs comes under the umbrella of Tain Royal Academy and is run by High Life Highland staff and adult volunteers.
On stage were some 80 musicians comprising a mix of current High Life Highland pupils and music instructors along with former group members and a number of adults who relish the opportunity to play with the group.
One of those playing was the group's inspirational co-founder Debbie Ross, a High Life Highland instructor.
The evening got off to a rousing start thanks to piping instructors Scott Murray and Cameron Macdougall.
Then the audience was treated to bar after bar of precision playing held together throughout the concert by woodwind instructor Lynsey Bolton. It was evident that pupils were well tutored and well prepared.
And just as the capacity audience thought the evening could not get any better, special guests – renowned composer and folk musician Duncan Chisholm and flautist Hamish Napier – took the music to a whole new level.
Their relaxed presentation style and peerless musical ability held the audience spellbound during both their programme slots.
Tradition plays a great part in the format of any event of this nature and Saturday night was no different, from the pupils taking on the role of compere to the encore of The Gael – the theme tune of the Last of the Mohicans – from the assembled musicians.
